James D. Byers

James D. Byers

also known as J.D. Byers, JD Byers

4.6
Rating: 7.9

Licensed for 31 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Winston-salem, NC
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Drug Crime, DUI & DWI ... +2 more

224 S Cherry St, Winston-salem, NC

About James

Biography

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 40%

31 years | 5,000 cases

40%
Drug Crime 25%

31 years

25%
DUI and DWI 20%

31 years

20%
Aviation 10%

31 years

10%
Expungement 5%

31 years

5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 15 minutes

Retainer

Sometimes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in North Carolina for 31 years

State: North Carolina

Acquired: 1994

Active

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2022

Location

The Law Offices of J. Darren Byers, P.A.

224 S Cherry St, Winston-salem, NC, 27101

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James D. Byers's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.6 /5.0

19 Client Reviews

Posted by anonymous | February 28, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Promises never delivered.

This lawyer promised interviews, investigation and preparation in my case. He told my family he was going to fight for me and wanted more money than me and my family had. I had to drain all my retirement and all my kids college savings to hire him. Once he got his money, he was very difficult to reac...h and I hardly heard from him. He failed miserably. I have lost faith in all lawyers and the justice system. I promise this man acted like a used car salesman. If only I knew better. He failed everyone around me, not just me. He has ruined our lives.

Posted by anonymous | June 14, 2022 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

The best in the city!!!

I was charged with disorderly conduct and of course jd got it dismissed and expunged!!! I’m so pleased with his services!!!! He is definitely the best!!!!!

Posted by Luis | May 13, 2022 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Thankfully

REALLY GOOD LAWYER HE DID WHAT HE TOLD ME HE WAS GOING TO DO AND HANDLED THE PROBLEM

Posted by Brian | April 19, 2022 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Very satisfied

Had a consult with Mr.Byers he told me he will handle the case and try to dismissed the charges he did exactly what he told me he was gonna do will rehire him in the future

Posted by anonymous | April 5, 2022 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Best lawyer hands down

He has helped a couple of my family members and he is always very efficient and professional.

See All Client Reviews

James D. Byers's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse James
Karen Draper Gerber headshot
Karen Gerber

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"J.D. Byers is an experienced , skilled and well respected criminal defense attorney. He is professional, knowledgeable and hard working. Highly recommended Trial attorney."

Daniel N. Logan headshot
Daniel Logan

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"JD Byers is an experienced and brilliant criminal defense attorney. His hard work and knowledge of the law leads to great results for his clients."

Patrick Benton Weede headshot
Patrick Weede

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 10

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"When I was a Forsyth County Assistant District Attorney, I had cases with J.D. Byers on multiple occasions. J.D. is an excellent attorney. He knows the law, fights hard for his clients, and is always professional. J.D. maintains an outstanding reputation, and I am very happy to endorse him."

Christopher Anthony Beechler headshot
Christopher Beechler

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known JD Byers for 16 years. I have worked for him and with him, and we often represent clients in the same state and federal courts. He is hard-working, highly motivated, and goal oriented. JD is an excellent advocate for his clients in any courtroom. He is widely considered one of the best and most successful defense attorneys in central North Carolina."

Christian Bennett Thomas headshot
Christian Thomas

Criminal defense lawyer | May 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"An experienced and well regarded criminal defense attorney in the legal community. A strong advocate when you are caught up in the justice system."

Roderick William Scott headshot
Roderick Scott

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 02

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Despite being opposing counsel on a criminal matter with Mr. Byers, he was extremely courteous, trustworthy, and professional, while remaining a powerful advocate for his client."

Vincent James Filliben headshot
Vincent Filliben

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 11

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"J.D. Byers is a phenomenal advocate and a consummate professional. Having had the privilege to begin my career as an attorney under Mr. Byer's mentorship, I can vouch firsthand for his integrity, passion, and ability. J.D. is both a skilled negotiator and a fierce trial attorney. He has significant experience handling serious crimes in both State and Federal Court, and is well respected in the legal community. I strongly endorse Mr. Byers as a first rate attorney and continue to model my practice after his."

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse James. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."

Alton Luther Absher Jr. headshot
Alton Absher

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"J.D. is highly respected among his peers in Forsyth County. He is an outstanding defense attorney. His practice covers the field in criminal law."

Jonathan Neal Robbins headshot
Jonathan Neal Robbins

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 23

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"J.D. Byers is one of the preeminent criminal defense lawyers in the State of North Carolina. I have worked with him on numerous cases and referred him countless others. His legal advocacy skills are second to none and his commitment to the legal profession should be emulated by every member of the Bar. He is well-respected by colleagues, prosecutors, judges."

View All Endorsements
Patrick Benton Weede headshot
Patrick Weede

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  7.9 (Very Good)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2022.

Reprimand issued in NC, 2022

updated on 01/06/2023

Typically in this case the lawyer's poor behavior is exposed to the public in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior.

Honors

2024

Top Rated Lawyer, Avvo

2023

Av Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell®

2020

AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell®

2020

Top Rated Lawyer 2020, Avvo

2019

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2013

AV Preeminent 4.7 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

Work Experience

1994 - Present

Managing Partner, The Law Office of J. Darren Byers, P.A.

Associations

1995 - Present

Forsyth County Criminal Defense Trial Lawyers Association

Past President

1992 - Present

North Carolina Bar Association

Education

1992

Wake Forest University School of Law

J.D.

1989

Citadel, Military College of South Carolina

Speaking Engagements

2009

Defending Child Sex Abuse Cases

Evidentiary Issues in Child Sex Offense Cases

Languages

English

Spanish

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline
    This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2022
    Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution